The House of the Earth Part 2 (3/8): Learning to Bluff

[jij]

Title: Chapter Three: Learning to Bluff
Pairing/Characters: Kal-El, Bruce Wayne, Kara Zor-El
Notes: " The House of the Earth" is an AU in which a few thousand Kryptonians escaped the destruction of Krypton to flee to Earth and enslave its people.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1800
Summary: Bruce and Kara try to teach Kal how to play poker.

Comments

[jij]

Jor-El and Lara's last moments in both the movie and the animated series break my heart--I have to believe they found each other as well, somehow. *sighs* Thank you, that image was the one that really stuck with me in this chapter and I'm happy it worked for you too!

[jij]

That's cold, really cold. No wonder no one else ever dared speak out against the system.

I was feeling uncomfortable about the fact that no Kryptonians seemed to have a problem with slavery in the first arc--it almost felt like they're genetically evil, and I love Krypton too much for that. It seemed to make sense (in a horrible, cold way) that the pro-slavery people might have taken matters into their own hands a bit.

I think that's one of the saddest things that can happen to you. I mean, death is always sad, but when you're all alone and you know it's going to happen...

*shudders* I have to admit the image of the two of them looking for each other is very haunting to me. I'm going to have to assume Lara found him somehow...

Also, jealous-without-wanting-to-admit it Kal is always fun, yes. *grins and pokes him a bit*

Glad you liked it and thanks for commenting!

[genclay]

Awwww. This is such a bitter sweet chapter. Poor Kal is going through some life changing perception alterations. But there are subtle hints of good things to come.

This version of him is bringing out my maternal instinct, which is scary. I just want to hug him and protect him from the evils in life. Even if I know, in the long term, it's better for him to deal with it.

Also- yay, poker fic!

[jij]

Poor Kal is going through some life changing perception alterations. But there are subtle hints of good things to come.

Oh good, I'm glad you can see those. This arc is kind of bleak in some ways, as Kal realizes just how little space he and Bruce have in this world, but there are bits and pieces of promise here and there...

Ha about the maternalism! That's a good insight, I have kind of a similar response, I think. Don't bump your heart on all those sharp corners in the world, Kal! *sighs*

To my horror, I realized I didn't really know how to play poker while writing this chapter! DaMo had to give me a crash course...

[genclay]

This arc is kind of bleak in some ways

Yes, but this will make things all the more sweeter when they make the wrongs right. And because it is these two, I know that will happen :)

I know quite a bit about poker due to my BF making an on-line poker game for his final year project at uni. I had to teach him all the probability theory for the AI's. This doesn't mean i'm any good, I have a worse poker face than Kal :p I've got my own little poke fic loitering half finished somewhere. But, it being written by me, it's a totally different tone ;p

[jij]

Yes, but this will make things all the more sweeter when they make the wrongs right.

I'm hoping so! *grin*

I've got my own little poke fic loitering half finished somewhere. But, it being written by me, it's a totally different tone ;p

Does it involve stripping in any way? Because that would be awesome. :D

[laramoon]

This was such a great chapter -- heartbreaking for Kal (*hugs him*) but enlightening at the same time. And really, as hard as it was for him to hear it, I think these are all things he really needed to know.

Loved this line -
"Some things are worth risking, Kal."

There's so much in there he's saying and not saying. And it's so true. :)

Excellent! ...and looking forward to the next chapter. :D

[jij]

I wanted some kind of explanation for why the Kryptonians were all such uniform fascists, and Kara decided Kal was ready to hear it (and me as well, since I hadn't been sure before that!).

There's so much in there he's saying and not saying. And it's so true. :)

It might be my favorite line in this chapter, it sums up so much of Bruce in this arc--elliptical but...questing a bit, lol.

Thanks so much for the comment! The next chapter should be up soon, I think--it's long but I really got on a roll writing it.

[genclay]

Long is good. :)

Especially on a day like today when not much else is going on- thus why I'm spamming comments all over the place.

[saavikam77]

Oh, Kal... O_O *hugs him* That's a harsh truth to learn. Poor Jor-El and Lara.

It would suck if Kal had to conjure up bad memories in order to bluff his way through things in the future, but at least he's learning.

Bravo!!

[jij]

It would suck if Kal had to conjure up bad memories in order to bluff his way through things in the future, but at least he's learning.

You have to start somewhere. :) And it's a hard thing to have to realize, but a good one as well, knowing he's got to deal with some very hardened people.

*hugs*

Thanks!